The NFL has clarified its stance on smelling salts after facing backlash from players, including San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle, who protested the league’s initial memo banning teams from providing ammonia inhalants. While clubs can no longer supply the substances, players are still permitted to use their own, ESPN reported Wednesday.
The controversy began when the NFL issued a memo Tuesday citing FDA warnings about the lack of safety evidence for ammonia inhalants (AIs), which are commonly used by athletes for a quick energy boost. The league expressed concerns that AIs could mask concussion symptoms and pose health risks. However, the abrupt policy change caught the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) off guard, prompting clarification that players could continue personal use.
Kittle, a six-time Pro Bowler, humorously threatened retirement over the issue, calling the salts a game-day essential. “I’ve been distraught all day… I use them on every drive,” he said during a training camp interview. His comments highlighted widespread use across the NFL and other sports like hockey, where smelling salts are a pre-game ritual for many athletes.
While the NFL maintains concerns over unregulated AI use, the revised policy strikes a compromise—shifting responsibility to players rather than outright banning the practice. The league’s move reflects the challenge of balancing player habits with safety protocols, particularly regarding neurological risks. For now, Kittle and others can keep their smelling salts—just not from team stock.
